Three year olds shouldn’t have cavities

I’m bringing Tristan to the pedodontist today for two fillings. Really, three year olds shouldn’t have cavities, and they certainly shouldn’t need fillings. I feel awful for him.

I think the worst part will be that he has to fast from midnight to the appointment at 9:50 Tuesday morning (I’m typing this Monday night, guessing that tomorrow morning will be a little rocky.) There is going to be one cranky-ass preschooler on the loose tomorrow morning when he finds out he can’t have his morning chocolate milk and cereal bar. I would sooner deprive Paris Hilton of her daddy’s credit cards than deprive Tristan of his morning treats.

When we get there, they give him some sort of antihistamine in a drink to make him drowsy, and we have to wait around for an hour for it to take effect. Luckily, there are trains and books, so we could in theory pass an entire month there and Tristan would be content. They will also give him laughing gas (I want to say it’s nitrous oxide, but that may well be some incediary chemical that will bring terrorists googling bomb recipes to this blog. If that’s how you got here, go plant some flowers or something, will ya?) so he will be relaxed but awake. They haven’t yet confirmed what they will be giving me, but it’d better be good.

I am having a very hard time picturing any state of consciousness, however drowsy and drugged, will keep my wriggling three year old still enough for two fillings. I am hoping that this is just another instance of something being far worse in the anticipation than it is when it comes to pass.

I don’t think I mentioned the laundry list of problems the pedodontist found during our first consultation. Not only did she confirm the two cavities in two molars and Tristan’s extra tooth, but she pointed out that he has a sideways bite and his upper teeth are all crowded together, so he’ll need some sort of retainer to push them apart when he gets to be six or seven, and he’ll need something to compensate for his side bite. Sigh. It took me 20 years to get over my fear of dentists, and now I have a fear of funding the college education of my dentist’s four kids.

Think a kind thought for us today. Three is just too little for cavities.

Author: DaniGirl

Canadian. storyteller, photographer, mom to 3. Professional dilettante.

11 thoughts on “Three year olds shouldn’t have cavities”

  1. I too would be a little nervous like yourself, but I sometimes have to take the approach that we ‘have’ to trust the professionals, knowing they have done this before and all will go well. Three does seem young, did she have any reason as to why this can happen so young? And I am also very curious about extra tooth?
    We are headed for our first dentist experience this summer, should also be interesting.
    Hang in there, thinking most happiest of thoughts for you!

  2. Oh Poor Tristian and MOM! I’m pretty sure Nathan has a cavity in one back molar and All the apple juice that boy drank when he got his teeth even though watered down was the culprite. Hate even taking him to the Dr. which I will have to do on Thursday for a huge lump on his neck.
    Good luckand Please let us know how it goes. I’m sure Tristan won’t need therapy.
    Hugs

  3. Oh, dear! Poor Tristan (and poor you, of course). I hope everything goes okay — I’m definitely sending good karmic thoughts northward.

  4. I’m sure Tristan will be just fine as you are taking him to the people who do this all the time. You on the other hand are a rookie, so I wish you the best!
    Was the dentist able to give you any insight as to why he would have the cavities so young? Are certain people more prone to them at an early age, or was he/she able to share some common preschooler vices we could all benefit from knowing?

  5. I am curious too.
    A nice smile is so important – I know it’s a lot to go through and I wish you the best!

  6. Hugs to you Dani, always harder on the parents! Tristan will be fine, he’s in good hands and they’ve done this before, many times and much worse scenarios!
    Curious as to where the cavities are too!
    Strongly hoping all went well for you both and that these are his last cavities, ever!!!
    sent you an e-mail

  7. Hugs! Having had fillings as a child, I can say that laughing gas is WONDERFUL! I loved my childhood dentist. I hope it all turns out fine, and hugs to you again.

  8. I predict a coming trend: pediatric dentists with in-house spa services for mamas and papas who could use use some heavy-duty pampering while junior is with the dentist. I think this could really take off.
    Hope all went well for you and your little guy!

  9. So sorry to hear little T. has to go through this at such a young age. Don’t kill me everyone. But, I still have not taken Grant to the denist. I think when we get home that will be number 1 on our list.
    I hope he is okay and you too…

  10. Awww, you guys are so incredibly sweet to me.
    As I mentioned in today’s update, he was a perfect angel. I hated the fact that I wasn’t in the room with him during the procedure, but at the same time I would have hated watching and listening, too (bad enough to be sitting in the waiting room, practically holding my breath listening for any sound of distress, at which point I would have clawed my way through the wall to get to him.)
    I’m not sure what caused the cavities, except he has probably inherited my susceptibility to cavities, and early on we were not as vigilant with brushing as we could have been. She said we should eliminate the sippy cup, as sipping all day is harder on the teeth than just drinking at regular intervals. (Not going to happen.) She also said we should eliminate candy and popsicles, reduce sugary processed foods, and drink water instead of juice and no chocolate milk. (Also, not going to happen.) Finally, she said to take the pacifier and bottles away from Simon so we don’t have the same problems with him. (Once again, not going to happen.)
    Ann, I cannot tell you how therapeutic a massage would have been yesterday… I think you’re on to something there!!! Twinmom, maybe we three could partner on this if you get back into the business?
    Thanks again for your comments and concerns.
    xo Danigirl

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